Afforestation in Tamil Nadu. What about Chennai?
Yesterday’s Hindu informs us the state government plans to cover 51,500 hectares of degraded forests in 230 fringe villages at a cost of Rs 115.2 crores with the assistance of the Japan Bank for International Co-operation. As part of this effort, the government is launching a scheme to bring wastelands in private farm holdings under tree cover. About 50,000 acres of private lands would be covered with preference given to small and marginal farmers. They would be given quick yielding, drought resistant timber species that are profitable to grow to give a boost to the rural economy. This is a novel idea to help struggling farmers in an eco-friendly manner along with the other efforts to increase the green cover in the state. Chennai has about 7 million citizens today. At an average size of five per household, that’s 1.4 million households. If every family pledges to plant a tree near their house, either in the yard, or the side of the road where they live, that would be 1.4 million trees added to the green cover in Chennai! Even if, realistically speaking, just 30% of the citizens responded, that would still be over 40,000 trees. And that would make a significant difference to the city. Maybe this is something that should be taken to Stalin as an initiative for the city! Anyone have access to him?
I personally would love to see such a thing. What I look forward to, with some interest, is Nilu’s views on the topic.
Good to hear about the plan…hope they stick to it, with little money-swindling.
Incidentally, I read in the latest issue of Madras Musings that Madras has the second highest green cover (among cities, I suppose) after Delhi, with 17%. I would be glad to see that figure increase.
Seems like you are a guy interested in environmental issues.Long back i rememeber watching a programme on T V (Transtel cologne if i remember right)where ciitzens of one county used to participate in funny competitions and the proceeds used to go to the county which used to win those events,created awareness along with recreation and team spirit besides making for interesting viewing.Anybody in the media intrested in picking the idea as an alternative to boring soaps we have on tv
India has to move away from villages.. and agriculture ofcourse, iam talking about decent % not all.
http://fuel2economy.blogspot.com/2007/05/india-cannot-afford-villages.htmlhttp://fuel2economy.blogspot.com/2007/05/india-cannot-afford-villages.html
its easy to manage 600 cities then 600000 villages..